Fed up with a bad rap

While many would argue the availability of snacks and soda in the schools is a major contributor to teen obesity, others say the problem isn't with the schools at all.

Local schools are not only providing students with healthy meals, but are fed up with the negative criticism the schools receive.

"I've worked at schools where students had to pass vending machines every time they went to class, but it's not like that here," said Don Lewis, Wooster High School Food Service supervisor. "We put things on the menu that meet the state's nutrition standards, but we go further by offering healthy alternatives to fried foods, soda and snacks."

Food Service supervisors agreed students drink too much soda and eat too much candy, but added students aren't learning those habits in the schools.

"We've only got them for one meal a day on average, and only for 180 days a year," Lewis said. "They're getting a lot of their eating (habits) elsewhere. We're charged to give them a healthy meal and we do it."

At some schools, concerned parents have the option of purchasing food cards, Lewis said. The cards could only be used to buy meals, not a la carte snacks or vending machine products.

"The vending machines aren't even on during lunch in our schools," he said. "But if parents are really concerned, then don't send kids here with money, just give them a food card."

Deanna Weaver, Triway High School Food Service supervisor, said vending machines aren't on during lunch because they would be in direct competition with the Federal Lunch Program, the standard to which all cafeteria meals are held. Meat, vegetables, fruit and milk are all considered components of everyday meals.

"I've always gotten the deli sandwich because you get to decide what to put on it," said Wooster High School student Desiree Weber, daughter of Herbert and Christiane Weber. "I don't have time to make my own lunch. The school lets me choose what I eat and drink."

Though most Food Service Programs operate on a tight budget, Lewis said some items are kept around just to keep a very small number of students happy.

"We offer items that don't sell well, like health bars," he said. "But we keep them around for the handful of students who might want them instead of a donut if they get here before school starts."

Food service supervisors said they understand how hard it is to make everyone happy, but try their best with limited resources. But no matter how the program changes, some will most likely never change.

"We're always trying to make things better for the kids," Lewis said. "But we have to keep in mind that we can't just change everything. If we took their French fries away, there would be a revolt."